A Not So Informative Look at the Prism Prize Shortlist Candidates

If you don’t know by now, the 2nd annual Prism Prize award will be handed out on Sunday for the best Canadian Music Video, as decided by an amazing jury. The jury is amazing because I am on it (which I’m sure discredits anything you thought about the jury based on my previous sentence). Last year’s winner was Rich Aucoin for the Noel Pink-directed video for Brian Wilson is A.L.I.V.E.

Heading into Sunday’s tussle for the coveted award (and perhaps the even more coveted $5000 prize) are 10 videos. PeteHatesMusic will break them down for you, and why each of the videos should win. The videos are presented alphabetically by director – our favourite way of arranging the alphabet.

Arcade Fire – Reflektor (Director: Anton Corbijn)

Why Arcade Fire/Anton Corbijn should win: For single-handedly making those paper mache lessons you took in art classes relevant once again. Also, getting David Bowie to dress up as a reflective man (that we never actually see…) was a stroke of genius. Okay, David Bowie isn’t actually in this video (right?).

Young Galaxy – New Summer (Director: Ivan Grbovic)

Why Young Galaxy/Ivan Grbovic should win: It features erratic driving, destruction, giant clouds of smoke, and things moving in slow motion – which doubles as a list of what a night out with Rob Ford would contain.

Why Majical Cloudz/Emily Kai Bock should win: Because the video is so bloody sad, I refuse to watch any other music videos ever again – sorry, Prism Prize 2015! Also, the video stars Kenneth Welsh of Twin Peaks fame – what’s not to like?

Shad – Fam Jam (Director: Che Kothari)

Why Shad/Che Kothari should win: For depicting a fam jam that I wish I was invited to. Not the fam jams that I am used to – no food, no beer, lots of tears, and a constant smell of urine. Note: I am often the only one at my fam jams – awwwwwkward.

Keys N Krates – Dum Dee Dum (Director: Amos LeBlanc)

Why Keys N Krates/Amos LeBlanc should win: Mockumentaries are all the rage. Or is it actually a documentary – there were no notes provided. Also, every shortlist should have Mennonites represented, so good job for one video for pulling through.

The Belle Game – River (Director: Kheaven Lewandowski)

Why The Belle Game/Kheaven Lewandowski should win: Because the guy didn’t screw up the head shaving scene – you only get one shot at those.

Hollerado – So It Goes (Director: Marc Ricciardelli)

Why Hollerado/Marc Ricciardelli should win:Like Kate Winslett says in the Rick Gervais comedy Extras, “if you do a film about the Holocaust, you’re guaranteed an Oscar.” Touching World War II video intro aside, if voters like orange paint, then this video should beat those arty black and white videos.

Jessy Lanza – Kathy Lee (Director: Lee Skinner)

Why Jessy Lanza/Lee Skinner should win: For depicting Hamilton as the happenin’ city it is – with one lone crazy person dancing on the empty streets.

Drake – Started From The Bottom (Director: X)

Why Drake/X should win: For making Shoppers Drug Mart and their ugly uniforms both look somewhat cool for the first time ever. Erecting a billboard with your song title beside the highway, and then dancing in front of it at night time, is why Drake should win everything, forever.

There you have it – everyone is a legitimate contender. Now, I won’t tell you what my top 3 videos were, but if you follow me on Twitter, I’ll tweet some info from the private event on Sunday night – including the winning video as it happens.